U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation on International Women’s Day:

“Pay discrimination persists in workplaces across America and, sadly, our champion athletes face the same challenges,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.  “Despite continuing to break attendance and viewership records and many times generating more revenue than the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team has faced an outsized wage gap compared to their male counterparts.  This or any kind of inequitable treatment is wrong and I am proud of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team for standing up for pay equity.

“Today on International Women’s Day – and indeed every day – we should celebrate the contributions of women around the world and reaffirm our dedication to fighting for their equal rights.  Calling for equal pay is just one of many ways we can push for equal rights for women across our nation, and more specifically female athletes,” U.S. Rep. Castor continued.

U.S. Rep. Castor serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus and has been a longtime proponent of equal rights for the nation’s female athletes, including filing a resolution in 2015 expressing that female athletes should be paid the same as their male counterparts, advocating for equity at U.S. Soccer and urging organizers of world class competitions to actively combat the wage gap.  She has also highlighted a need for better female representation within FIFA and this week met with U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Head Coach Jill Ellis prior to the team’s match against Brazil in Tampa, Fla.

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